Men and women: Where is melanoma most common?

With skin cancer on the rise for decades, it's very important to be aware of the possible risks - and also how to spot these risks. When you start to take a close look at your body, you'll notice that it's not that easy to monitor your skin. With the SkinVision app, we give you a tool that helps you to do this.

Next to that, it’s good to know what the most common areas are for melanoma skin cancer to appear. It’s different for men and women, so we’ll take a look at both.

Most common places for melanoma on men

Skin cancer can occur in a lot of places. Cancer develops in the pigment-producing cells of the skin and can ever occur elsewhere in the body, including, rarely, inside the eye.

Head

For men, the head is a common place for skin cancer to occur. The belief is that women take better take of protecting themselves from the sun by wearing a hat. Also, men’s hair is usually thinner and therefore less protecting.

The back

Another place for men where skin cancer is found often in the back. Both the lower and the upper back. This could have something to do with the sun as well, but also with genetics.

Neck

In between these two areas is the neck, which is unsurprisingly also at high risk. Men should take extra care with their necks, as the skin there is also more sensitive due to shaving.

The trunk

This is the front of the body, ranging from the shoulders and the chest down to the hips. Make sure to always apply sunscreen when outside, especially when you lose the shirt.

Most common places for melanoma on women

For women, it’s a different story. As mentioned earlier this is mostly caused by the way men and women consume sunlight – but also simply genetics. Which area do you need to take extra care of?

The arms

A common place for skin cancer to occur for women is the arms. Both the upper and lower parts of the arms are at higher risk. When outside, make sure to protect or apply sunscreen to the arms and keep them well protected.

The legs

The same goes for the other high-risk area: the legs. It’s common for skin cancer to appear on the legs of women, more than other areas. So keep a close look.

Regardless of being man or woman, there are a few areas that require extra attention. Also based on your skin type. People in Asian, Hispanic, and African-American populations are at less risk than Caucasians; when they do develop melanoma, it is most likely on the soles of the feet, the palms, between the toes and fingers, and under the toenails and fingernails.

Check your high-risk areas now. Download the SkinVision app and simply take a photo to get a risk indication for skin cancer instantly.

New Zealand has, together with Australia, the highest melanoma incidence in the world. The combination of skin type and UV impact from the sun put the inhibitors of New Zealand at high risk. So let’s take a closer look at the current melanoma situation in NZ.

Summer is here in Australia when many people will spend time outdoors playing sports and enjoying the sun. With the warm climate, beautiful beaches and wide-open space, the country is meant to be enjoyed this way.